A surprisingly positive biography. Clear and to point, there is very little personal life examined but the range of Bismarck's political career is dealt with in an excellent fashion. Argues that Bismarck was always interested in advancing his own role and power within Prussia and then Germany, not so much the larger national interest. Argues that Bismarck did not see the dynamic aspect of politics, seemed to think that once a balance had been achieved it could easily be maintained indefinitely. Bismarck was an extreme example of the opportunistic politician. The one thing the book seems to skip is how Bismarck got away with being so utterly contemptible towards everyone else in politics for so long without getting kicked out much sooner.